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Free RTB Rent Increase Calculator 2026 (RPZ & Rent Cap)

TenantSync's free calculator gives the maximum legal rent under Ireland's national rent cap: the lower of 2% a year or CPI inflation. Example: €1,500 last set on 1 March 2025 can rise to at most €1,530 from 1 March 2026 — less if CPI was lower. Instant result, no account needed.

Updated 10 October 2026 · Rules checked against rtb.ie

What is a Rent Pressure Zone?

A Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) was a geographic area in Ireland where rent increases were restricted by law under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004–2022. RPZs were introduced by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to protect tenants in high-demand areas from rapid rent inflation. On 1 March 2026, RPZs were abolished and replaced by a national rent control system that applies the same cap to every private residential tenancy in Ireland — so the rules below now apply nationwide, regardless of location.

Under national rent control, the maximum allowable annual rent increase is the lower of:

Legal Obligation

From 1 March 2026, all landlords in Ireland are legally required to cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 2%. Exceeding the cap is a serious breach of the Residential Tenancies Act — the RTB can order repayment of overcharged rent and award damages of up to €20,000 to the affected tenant.

CPI vs 2% Cap

From 1 March 2026 the RTB uses the CSO All-Items Consumer Price Index (CPI). When inflation is below 2%, the CPI rate applies. When above 2%, the 2% annual cap applies.

90 Days Notice

You must serve at least 90 days' written notice of any rent increase, specifying the new amount and effective date.

Annual Reviews Only

Rent may only be reviewed once every 12 months. The review period is measured from when the rent was last set, not the start of the tenancy.

National Rent Cap Calculator

Enter the current monthly rent, the date it was last set, and your proposed new rent start date. We'll calculate the legal maximum you can charge.

Current Monthly Rent (€)

The rent amount currently in the tenancy agreement

Date Rent Was Last Set

When the current rent amount first applied

Proposed New Rent Start Date

The date you intend the new rent to take effect

Property details (optional)

Development commenced on or after 10 June 2025 (new apartment complex or SSA)

Student-specific accommodation (SSA)

How to use this calculator

Enter the current monthly rent

As stated in the tenancy agreement — not including any utilities or extras.

Enter the date rent was last set

Either the start of the tenancy or the date of the last rent review — whichever is more recent.

Enter your proposed new rent date

The date you want the increased rent to take effect. Must be at least 12 months after the last set date.

Click "Calculate"

We apply the lower of the CPI cap or 2% annually and show you the maximum legal rent.

Results are indicative only. Always confirm the current CPI figure on rtb.ie and seek legal advice if in doubt.

Understanding the RPZ Rent Cap: A Complete Guide for Irish Landlords

Why RPZs Were Introduced

Rent Pressure Zones were created by the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 and subsequently strengthened by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Acts 2019 and 2021. They target areas — mainly urban centres — where rents had risen rapidly above the national average, making housing unaffordable for many workers and families.

The RTB reviews which local electoral divisions qualify as RPZs every quarter, and the Minister for Housing can designate new areas where rents exceed the national average by more than 7% and where annual rent inflation exceeds 7%.

The CPI Mechanism Explained

From 1 March 2026, the annual cap is linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), All-Items, published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This replaced the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) used before that date, and the RTB updates the figure as new CPI data is published.

The cap is calculated on a pro-rata basis: if you are reviewing rent after 18 months, you apply 18 months' worth of CPI growth (or 18 months at 2% per year if that is lower). This calculator handles the pro-rata logic automatically.

Serving a Valid Rent Review Notice

A valid rent review notice under the Residential Tenancies Act must:

Be in writing
State the new rent amount
State the date from which the new rent applies (minimum 90 days from notice)
State the amount of the current rent
Confirm the rent is in line with the national rent cap
Reference the CPI figure used for the calculation

An invalid rent review notice is unenforceable. TenantSync generates compliant notice letters automatically — saving you time and risk.

Exemptions from the RPZ Cap

Certain properties may be exempt from the RPZ rent cap if they have been substantially improved or refurbished. The landlord must certify the substantial works and the RTB has specific criteria — including minimum cost thresholds relative to the property value. Always verify with the RTB or a solicitor before assuming an exemption applies.

Automate rent-cap tracking

TenantSync tracks every rent review date and works out the national rent cap (CPI or 2%, whichever is lower) for each tenancy, with the CSO figure shown.

Automatic RTB deadline alerts

National rent cap worked out per lease

Compliant rent review notices

Tenant portal access

Free 14-day trial

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Related Resources

RTB Landlord Compliance Checklist Getting Started with TenantSync View Pricing Plans Official RTB Website

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) in Ireland?

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A Rent Pressure Zone was a designated area where annual rent increases were capped by law at the lower of inflation or 2%. RPZs were introduced under the Residential Tenancies Acts to protect tenants in high-demand areas. Rent Pressure Zones were abolished on 1 March 2026 and replaced by a national rent control system applying the same cap to all private residential tenancies in Ireland.

How is the RPZ rent increase cap calculated?

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The maximum allowable increase is the lesser of (a) the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the rent was last set, or (b) 2% per year over the same period. Our calculator applies both methods and automatically selects whichever cap is lower.

When can I increase the rent in an RPZ?

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You can only review rent once every 12 months (unless the tenancy began before 2019 and a longer period applied). You must give the tenant at least 90 days’ written notice before the new rent takes effect.

What if my property is not in an RPZ?

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From 1 March 2026, Rent Pressure Zones no longer exist — national rent control applies to all private residential tenancies in Ireland. The cap (lower of 2% or CPI) applies regardless of location. This calculator computes the maximum permitted rent increase under the national rent control rules now in force.

What is CPI and where does the figure come from?

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CPI stands for the Consumer Price Index, published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). From 1 March 2026 the RTB uses the CSO All-Items CPI as the official inflation measure for rent reviews, replacing the HICP used previously. Our calculator uses the latest published CPI value, which we update automatically.

Is this calculator legally binding?

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No. This tool gives an indicative estimate only. Always verify the current CPI figure on the official RTB website (rtb.ie) and seek independent legal advice if you are unsure about your obligations.

Does TenantSync automate rent increase tracking?

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Yes. TenantSync tracks the last rent review date for every lease and alerts you when a new review becomes eligible, automatically calculating the permitted rent increase cap so you never inadvertently overcharge.

Stop calculating manually — let TenantSync do it for you

TenantSync tracks every rent review, works out the national rent cap for each tenancy, and drafts the rent review notice for you to check and send.

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